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ZvikaBK2801's avatar
ZvikaBK2801
Regular Visitor
1 month ago
Solved

Decimal Parameters in User Defined functions (UDF)

On their website, Microsoft defines decimal numbers as: "Decimal number is the most common number type, and can handle numbers with fractional values and whole numbers. Decimal number represents 64-...
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  • v-achippa's avatar
    v-achippa
    1 month ago

    Hi ZvikaBK2801,

     

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Fabric Community.

     

    Thank you avinash_7995 for the prompt response.

     

    This is expected. In a DAX UDF, the decimal type is a fixed decimal (currency) type that only keeps 4 decimal places, so 0.0045 / 230 rounds to 0.

    For calculations that require more than 4 decimal places, use the Double type instead, as it is designed for higher precision values.

     

    Thanks and regards,

    Anjan Kumar Chippa

  • ZvikaBK's avatar
    ZvikaBK
    1 month ago

    Hi, yes the solution had been provided thanks. I'm now using Double for all my non integer UDF parameters. I also notified the couple PBI local user groups about this issue.

avinash_7995's avatar
avinash_7995
New Member
1 month ago

Thanks for sharing. However, I don't think this is an inherent limitation of the "Decimal" data type. A decimal value like "0.0045 / 230" equals approximately "0.0000195652", which should not become zero simply because it's stored as a decimal.

 

If the result is being truncated after four decimal places, it's more likely due to the UDF implementation, a fixed decimal scale (for example, "DECIMAL(...,4)"), or how the result is being displayed, rather than the "Decimal" type itself.

 

In general, "Decimal" is preferred for precise decimal calculations (such as financial data), while "Double" is better suited for scientific calculations where a larger range is needed and small floating-point rounding errors are acceptable.

  • ZvikaBK2801's avatar
    ZvikaBK2801
    Regular Visitor
    1 month ago

    Hi,
    It's not an issue of how the UDF outcome is displayed, nor is it any delibarate or indeliberate trancation under user repsponsibility. Why don't you try it out for yourseft insteat of thinkg how PBI should work.

    • v-achippa's avatar
      v-achippa
      Community Support
      1 month ago

      Hi ZvikaBK2801,

       

      Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Fabric Community.

       

      Thank you avinash_7995 for the prompt response.

       

      This is expected. In a DAX UDF, the decimal type is a fixed decimal (currency) type that only keeps 4 decimal places, so 0.0045 / 230 rounds to 0.

      For calculations that require more than 4 decimal places, use the Double type instead, as it is designed for higher precision values.

       

      Thanks and regards,

      Anjan Kumar Chippa

      • v-achippa's avatar
        v-achippa
        Community Support
        1 month ago

        Hi ZvikaBK2801,

         

        As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution I have provided for the issue worked?  or let us know if you need any further assistance.

         

        Thanks and regards,

        Anjan Kumar Chippa